jacob schmidt



No. 6|3,725. Patented Nov. a, |898.

H. F. J. SCHMIDT.

APPLIANCE FOR BENDING WOOD.

(Application led Mar. 14, 1898.)

(No Model.)

IIIII Hulllllll UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

HENRY F. JACOB SCHMIDT, OFNEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

APPLIANCE FOR BE'NDING WOOD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 613,725, dated November 8, 1898.

` Application filed March 14,' 1898. Serial No. 673,710. (No model.)

new and useful Improvementsin Appliances for Bending Wood, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

This invention relates to the art of forming wood, especially in thin strips or sheets or boards, into various shapes, while the wood is softened and made more pliable by cooking or steaming.

It is well known that when wood is removed from the cooking or steaming vessel and applied to the mold by which it is to be shaped the outer fibers of the wood are more or less chilled no matter how quickly the transfer is effected, with the result that the wood oftentimes does not conform exactly to Ithe precise shape of the mold and with the further result that the wood frequently breaks or splinters at the line or point of greatest iiexure.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome as far as possible the difficulties which have been alluded to and to enable the production of articles of better shape with less waste on account of breaking and splintering.

The invention is applicable to the formation of articles of different kinds, and especially to the manufacture of boxes or cases.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in certain convenient and practical embodiments thereof, which will be more fully described hereinafter.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of an apparatus or appliance for bending a strip of wood to form the body of a box or case. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a mold for forming the top or cover of such a box or case. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of such a mold, a portion of the coperating die being also shown. Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Figs. 2 and 3, but showing a mold for the for mation of a case for a tobacco-pipe.

In the several embodiments .of the invention the moldV upon or in which the wood is to be shaped is supplied with steam, and orifices are provided at the points or lines of greatest flexure to permit the steam to issue there the breaking and splintering of the wood is wholly prevented.

In the apparatus or appliance shown in Fig. l the steam is admitted. through a pipe A to a suitable hollow base B, upon which is secured the mold O. The latter is hollow, and communication with the hollow base is had through a suitable opening b. The mold here shown is substantially a square in cross-section, being adapted for the formation of the body of the box. At the angles or lines where the greatest bending takes place the mold is provided with perforations c c, through which the steam is permitted to escape from the interior of the mold into direct contact with the strip of woodD as the same is bent about the mold. For convenience in manipulating the strip of wood, and especially for the pur pose of forming a proper lap-joint, the mold is slotted, as at c', and the wall of the mold adjacent to the slot, on one side thereof, is beveled off on its outer surface toward the slot, as indicated at c2. A iiexible strip of metal E, preferably of zinc and having attached thereto a suitable handle E', is provided to aid in laying the strip of wood about the mold. For this purpose the said strip E is provided with an enlargement or is otherwise formed, as at e, to engage the edge of the mold at the slot c', and at its other end a yielding abutment e is arranged. The end of the strip of wood which has been previously squared off is laid upon the mold in proximity to the slot c', while the other end rests against the spring-pressed abutment e. By means of the handle E the two strips are laid together perforations c c softens the fibers which have ICQ become chilled during the transfer of the strip from the steaming or cooking vessel,

and therefore makes it possible for the stri p to be bent exactly to the shape of the mold without splintering or cracking at the bends. A cover C is applied to the open end of the mold C to prevent the escape of steann'being made removable for convenience in applying `the strip E and also for convenience in the subsequent handling of the mold. lVhen the strip of Wood has been applied, as already described, clamps are also applied to press the strip snugly against the sides of the mold, and the mold, with the strips thereon, is left io permit the wooden strip to dry thoroughly and set. Then the bent strip is nally removed from the mold, the joint may be glued and iinished in a manner well understood.

For forming a dished cover for such a box or case as that already referred to a mold C2, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is provided. This is hollow and supplied with steam, as before, and at the points or lines of greatest fiexure perforations c3 are formed to permit the steam to issue from the mold into direct Contact with the wooden blank. A suitable die E2 is arranged to cooperate with the mold.

The mold C3 shown in Figs. 4c and 5 is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 2 and 3, but adapted for the production of another form. Perforations cL are provided to permit the steam to issue against the wooden blank, as before.

It will be readily understood that the feature of the invention Which is common to the several embodiments already described can be applied to different kinds of apparatus according to the form and character of the article to be produced. Hence theinvention is not to be limited to the precise form and construction herein shown and described.

I claim as my inventionl. A hollow steam-supplied mold for bending wood having perforations to permit the steam to escape from within against the wood as the Wood is bent.

2. A mold for bending Wood havin ga steamsupply and having perforations at the points orlines of greatest lexure to permit the steam to escape from within against the wood as the wood is bent. Y

3. A mold forbending Wood for box-bodies and the like, having a slot in one side, in combination with a iiexible strip to lay the strip of Wood upon the mold, said strip having at its end an enlargement to engage the mold in said slot.

at. A mold for bending wood for box-bodies and the like, having a slot in one side and extending to the edge, and a detachable cover for the end of said mold, in combination with a flexible strip to lay a strip of Wood upon the mold, said strip having at its end an enlargement to engage the mold in said slot.

5. A hollow mold for bending wood for box bodies and the like, said mold having a steamsupply and having perforations at its angles to permit the steam to escape from within against the wood as the Wood is bent.

6. A mold for bending Wood for box-bodies and the like, having a slot in one side and perforations at its angles, in combination with means to supply steam to the interior of said mold to escape through said perforations against the Wood as the Wood is bent, and a iiexible strip to lay a strip of Wood upon the mold, said strip engaging the mold in said slot.

7. A mold for bending wood for box-bodies and the like, said mold being hollow and having perforations at its angles, in combination with a steam-supplied base to support the mold and having apertures to permit the escape of steam into the mold, and means engaging said mold to lay a strip of Wood upon the mold.

This specification signed and witnessed this 10th day of ltlareh, A. D. 1898.

1I. F. JACOB SCHMIDT.

In presence of A. N. JESBERA, F. M. EGGLESTON. 

